Ancient RomeWhen in Rome…

Geography

Italy = peninsula about 750 miles long

Extensive farmland allowed for large population

Rome was easily defendable because it was built on 7 hills

Italian peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea made it major stopping point for trade and travel

Mild/damn climate

Natural barriers protect any civilization that wants to start in Italy… In the north, Alpine

Mountains (The Alps!). Apennines Mountains

down the river, central Italy.

Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and Ionian Seas (all part of the Mediterranean Sea)

Geography

Origins of Rome- The Brothers

Legend says that twins Romulus and Remus were abandoned on the Tiber River & raised by a she-wolf!

Later the two boys decided to build a city… Eventually Romulus kills Remus & city of

Rome is named after Romulus This all happens around 753 B.C.E.

The Latins Helped spread the Latin

language. The Greeks

Settled in southern Italy Brought culture of Greece to

Rome (Arts, democracy, philosophy, etc.)

The Etruscans Northern Italy 620 B.C.E. they took control of

Rome Rule by King!

The first people in Rome…

Etruscan family treated the Romans very harshly. Overthrown by the people of Rome around 509 B.C.E.

People of Rome declare Rome a Republic! By 270 B.C.E. the Roman city and republic had

control of the entire Italian Peninsula!

From Kings to a Republic…

Republic: Form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only

to free-born male citizens!

People of Rome Rome was divided up into several different groups who

struggled for power.. Patricians: wealthy landowners who held most of the

power. Plebeians: the common farmers, artisans, and

merchants; majority of pop.

The Roman Republic

The Roman Empire

Twelve Tables – 451 B.C.E. 12 bronze tablets engraved with Roman law were placed throughout the Republic so the law could be applied to all.

Law code developed as the republic did. Jus Civile (Civil Laws) – For

citizens of Republic Jus Gentium (Law of the gentiles)

– Noncitizens of the Republic Jus Naturale (Natural Laws) –

Governed all humans

Law Code – The Republic

Roman Power Expands

Steadily the Romans (under the Republic) conquered the Italian Peninsula!

As Rome conquered lands, people were absorbed into their ever growing territory… Some people were accepted as citizens, others simply

became allies Rome went to war against Carthage; a powerful city

in North Africa The struggle became known as the Punic Wars (264-146

B.C.)

WHO: Rome Vs. Carthage

WHY: Trading interests in the island of Sicily. Romans had territory

and interest in the island; the Carthaginians wanted it to expand their commerce into the Mediterranean.

The Frst Punic War264 – 241 B.C.E.

General of Carthage, Hannibal, took Roman territory in Spain! AND led his army through the Alps with elephants!

Fought on the Italian countryside…terrorized it!!

Eventually, Rome pushed Carthaginian forces back and won the war!

The Second Punic Wars221 -202 B.C.E.

Rome went back to war with Carthage! Maybe for fear they would return?

By the end of this battle… Carthage was burnt to the ground. Soil around Carthage was sowed with salt to prevent

growth of plant life. Men, women and children were sold into slavery.

Basically saying… Don’t mess with the Romans!! This allowed Roman’s to keep conquering territory!

The Third Punic Wars146 B.C.E.

Problems with expansion: More conquered land, more angry people, need of bigger

Army. Steady supply of slaves created a labor problem (many

Romans became unemployed. Huge gap between rich and poor. People went to cities (left the country side). Farming

went into hands of wealthy landowners. Roman army went from volunteer’s too professional

soldiers. In times of peace they got bored… and in trouble!

The beginning of the end…

Riots and uprisings from the Plebeians and Patrician’s (on how to fix the economic and political struggles) led to the rise of the first Triumvirate (60 B.C.E.). Pompey, Crassus and Julius Caesar.

All 3 men wanted power and the acceptance of the people. Caesar went to defend northern Roman territory from

the barbarians. Crassus died in battle. Pompey stayed in Rome.

It’s almost the end…

Caesar defeats Pompey!! People are actually okay with

this (except his Senate) and like him for his plans to make life better until… he declares himself “dictator for life”. This weakens the power of

the Senate. So, the Senate stabs him to

death on the floor of the Senate – like 23 times.

It’s the final countdown…

Grandnephew and adopted son of Caesar, Octavian formed the Second Triumvirate. Marc Anthony, Octavian and Lepidus Octavian wanted them to get revenge on the

Senate! However, Octavian wanted more power and he

got I by defeating the other two. And this ushers in the Roman Empire!

THE END OF THE REPUBLIC